Second wave fears fuel global markets sell-off
GLOBAL markets tumbled as concerns grew about a second wave of the coronavirus and cities including London were hit by fresh restrictions.
The FTSE 100 index of blue-chip companies fell 1.73pc, or 102.54 points, to 5832.52 as investors fretted about the damage the pandemic is doing to the economy.
Millions in London, Essex and York were yesterday told they were no longer allowed to mix indoors with other households in places such as homes, pubs and restaurants, dealing another blow to the struggling hospitality industry. That was after the UK reported another 18,980 cases and 138 deaths.
Amid the turmoil, with new restrictions also being announced in other countries, the Euronext 100 index shed 2.2pc. In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 1.2pc as traders reacted to news that jobless claims had surged by 898,000 last week.
They were also spooked by comments from US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, who poured cold water on suggestions that a big economic stimulus package could be passed before November’s presidential election.
Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said investors were looking at ‘a sea of red’ in global equity markets.
‘It is becoming more apparent that the pandemic could still be raging well into 2021 and so economic prospects have become even more clouded,’ he said. ‘Ultimately, investors are unnerved by what’s going on with Covid-19 and how that is negatively impacting jobs and the ability for many businesses to succeed.’
Airline stocks were among those getting hammered by fears about fresh restrictions, with British Airways owner IAG down 2.5pc, or 2.5p, to 95.76p.
Easyjet too fell 3.3pc, or 16.3p, to 480.5p, while Ryanair sank 4.3pc, or €0.52, to €11.78. Industry experts have warned that airline passenger numbers will not recover before 2023 at the earliest.
The gloomy outlook dragged on stocks that are seen as being closely-tied to the economy as well. Housebuilder Persimmon fell by 2.1pc, or 55p, to 2526p, while retailer Next fell 2.4pc, or 142p, to 5894p and lender Barclays dropped 1.4pc, or 1.42p, to 100.12p.
Premier Inn hotels owner Whitbread fell 3pc, or 67p, to 2178p.
John Roe, a strategist at Legal & General Investment Management, said markets had been ‘surprised by the progress of the virus in the second wave’.
Meanwhile, packaging company Mondi fell 4.6pc, or 76.5p, to 1591p after it warned of reduced profits in the third quarter. In a trading update, the firm said it expected underlying profits to drop 20pc to £277m in the three months to September.
The company blamed its problems on lower demand for materials such as paper from schools and offices during coronavirus lockdowns, as well as lower average selling prices and currency swings that ate away at profit margins.
However, one bright spot was demand for corrugated packaging from online retailers which the firm said had ‘remained strong’.
E- commerce giants such as Amazon, Asos (down 3.8pc, or 181p, to 4644p) and Boohoo (down 1.5pc, or 4.6p, to 313.4p) have reported booming sales during lockdown as shoppers have flocked online while staying indoors.
Because of the strong demand for cardboard packaging, Mondi said it was in talks with some customers about price increases.
A spokesman for the firm added: ‘The macro- economic outlook continues to be uncertain, however we are confident that the group will continue to demonstrate its resilience, while remaining well-positioned for when the recovery takes place.’